Tracking issues?

[BP1]

So when I am shooting my f/tr 223 set up which consist of a joypod and prockter back rest it always recoils about six inches to the left after the shot and I can't figure out how to keep it from doing this.I can take my 6.5 creedmore with atlas bipod and squeeze bag and it tracks perfect.I may have to try the squeeze bag with it.

 

[dkhunt14]

So when I am shooting my f/tr 223 set up which consist of a joypod and prockter back rest it always recoils about six inches to the left after the shot and I can't figure out how to keep it from doing this.I can take my 6.5 creedmore with atlas bipod and squeeze bag and it tracks perfect.I may have to try the squeeze bag with it.

You may not be square behind the gun. Where your shoulder is matters. Usually a left hander will go right and a right hander will go left it not square. If off a bench put something like shelf liner under your bag so it can't slide. Matt

 

[BP1]

I shoot squared up to the rifle,follow trigger control fire the shot at the bottom of my breath and I stay on the rifle thru recoil.I have talked to a few of the local f/tr shooters and they suggested to off set my hips and try that.It is hard for me to do because I have been taught to stay square to the rifle but different types of shooting may require differnt positions so I will make it out to the range this week and try different things to see what may work.

 

[CharlieNC]

Cheek pressure pushing the rifle? Is the rifle on your shoulder, or "free" recoil?

 

[BP1]

Charlie since it's f/tr I'm going to say no free recoil wink wink,i am also going to try to not put any pressure on my cheek weld and try that also thanks.

 

[Ned Ludd]

Relative to my .308s with 200 gr bullets, I would say the recoil of my .223 F-TR rifles seems to be almost non-existent. However, if you're using a ski-sled-type bipod and eared rear bag, "almost non-existent" does not mean zero, and you have to account for it. I use a classic bipod, loaded heavily, and a rear squeeze bag with mine, but if you want to go the so-called "free recoil" route, you may need to change your position. I have always viewed L/R bipod hop as similar to driving a RWD vehicle on snow/ice. When the rear tires break loose, you turn the wheel in the same direction as the rear tires are skidding. Likewise, if your bipod is hopping right or left, then some pressure you are putting on it during the recoil impulse is helping to aim and move it in that direction.

One possibility is your shoulder pocket, even if the buttplate is only very light touching, it can be enough to make it hop. If you move your feet slightly in the same direction of the hop (i.e. same direction the muzzle moves offline at the end of the shot), you will slightly change your body angle with respect to the rifle and also cause you shoulder pocket "angle" to turn slightly in the opposite direction of the hop. It usually doesn't take much to make the sideways hop disappear and allow the rifle to track straight if that is your problem. It is very easy to experiment with this at the range moving your feet and changing your body angle in either direction form square, simply to see the effect on the rifle recoil and how the shot breaks and prints on the target. Often only a very minor change is required to correct some issue of ergonomics/mechanics. The same would be true if some contact of your cheek or hand is causing the tracking issue. Work on it at the range, isolating each thing that might be the cause...you'll soon figure out how to correct it.

 

[BP1]

Thanks Greg,this was using the seb joypod with podpad and protokter rear rest with the 3m slick cover.I shot our local match yesterday using my Duplin and just a beanie bag and with that I can drive the rifle great it's just not as stable.I will get out this week and play with position and see what happens.